CHAPTER FOUR: 3 DAYS BEFORE
Bo's Voiceover: They say no matter how far you run,
home is where the heart remains. But what happens
when you're not sure what home is anymore?
.
Oh Bo, you let it get too far.
Battered reflection staring back at me, judging me. It's been so long since I looked like this. This rugged, rundown and beaten. Honestly, I would have had to take a second glance if I had been just passing by. Fading bruise on my temple, a scrape on my chin and dark circles under my eyes. At least the redness from scraping that nasty shit off is gone, looked like a tomato there for a while. A throbbing in the back of my head demanding that I not forget the knot forming up nicely. Then of course the soreness that spreads through my back. Luckily the skin on my palms healed enough to only remain pink.
This right here, just one reason not to go back. Hell, I'm not even back and I'm hiding in the bathroom snacking on some, homie as his loud, obnoxious friends repeatedly called him. These days were supposed to be over. I fed safely, securely, under Lauren's supervision and at my own leisure. I didn't feel like a whore or a junkie sneaking away, hiding. I didn't feel like a freak.
Now look at me.
"It's alright Bo," Leaning down, hands splashing water over my face. "You've got this."
Hands running through my hair several times until it looks like I've showered recently. I guess that's as good as I'm getting. Hitting the water off as I force on my game face. Strong, confident, in control and most importantly, not starving. Yeah, you got this.
Smile firmly on my lips as I pass the waitress heading back to our booth. Head nodding slightly to the song playing from the jukebox. A slight wave to the little girl sitting next to her father at the counter. Little late for her to be out, but hey who am I to judge. Sliding in next to Dyson, smile fading slightly feeling the tension already.
"You barely healed." Lauren says as softly as she can, reaching over the table. Her fingertips just barely grazing my cheek before she leans back, sighing.
"I'll be okay." Soft smile. "I promise."
"You need more, I'm serious."
"And I will, once we get back it will be a little easier. But for right now, I'm right as rain."
"Dude I SO made out with her!" My little snack brags as he staggers to his booth, the other six looking over toward us.
"I'm sorry, you did what with him?" Her eyebrow raises.
"I didn't touch the little twerp. My compulsion just didn't exactly work completely this time."
"Bo, you've mastered that on humans." She takes a breath, her concern pushing her to the edge of frustration. "If you can't sway that boy, you're worse than you're letting on."
"Very subtle." I chuckle, unable to keep from smirking at the extra emphasis she put on the word boy.
"I don't mean to interrupt, but can I get some answers here?" Theo glares, looking between the three of us. "I think I deserve them considering I saved your ass."
"I had it under control."
"Yeah, really looked like it sheriff."
"It's a little convenient you showed up just in time to save them isn't it?" Dyson scoffs from behind his coffee.
"No more than you taking a little late night run." I glare right back at him.
"Look, I can settle this right now. I sat there, reading those papers Lauren wrote and thinking about our conversation. No matter how much I tried to shake it, I couldn't get rid of this feeling about following you. I set up Hunter and went after you. About halfway I started feeling about as foolish as hog running toward a butcher. Right when I was fixin' to turn back I noticed all the glass on the ground. After some investigating I found his ugly ass car. So I started checking in at every stopping station. Got to the motel, talked to that guy in check in, was coming to knock on your door and saw that thing coming for Lauren."
"Really convenient story."
"You barkin' up the wrong tree boy."
"Whoa." Lauren waves her hands. "Timeout. All on the same team."
"If that's what Theo says happened, then I believe him."
"Just like that Bo?"
"The only difference between his convenient story and yours is that Theo has never betrayed me. Never gave me a reason to even doubt what he says. So, he's in."
"Babe." She says softly, giving me that 'are you sure' look.
"Look, I didn't want him here or in on this, but he is. I'm not strong enough to sway him into forgetting this or to even go back. And thanks to this one's driving skills, we have no other way of transportation. I trust him and I know you do too Lauren, so we include him and let him make his own choice."
"This is ridiculous." Dyson mutters, slamming his mug down.
"Now, can someone please tell me why I got three zombies in the back of truck?"
"They're not zombies." Lauren rushes to answer.
"With all due respect, they don't look like any people I've ever seen. Hell, one is missing a face."
"My bad." I shrug, resting my head against my hand. Searing pain stirring behind my right eye.
"I'm feeling like I woke up in the middle of a Walking Dead episode and ya'll acting like this is just another Tuesday. I like to think I'm a pretty good fella under pressure, but this calmness ya'll have right now to this is freaking me out more than the zombies."
"They're not zombies."
"The only way to kill them is shoot them in the head. Those are zombies. And I repeat, I have three in my truck. Why does this not freak ya'll out?"
"They're not zombies." Lauren repeats herself, the four of us looking up to the waitress staring right back at us. "We're um, we're a fan club. Walking Dead fan club."
"You folks reenact it too? Like one of those battle fan clubs?"
"Something like that." I can't help chuckling to myself at the irony of it all. Dyson waves her off, refusing another refill. Lauren's eyes never leaving me. I hate how concerned I've made her, but short of chi sucking the whole diner or worse, Dyson, I can't exactly do anything to ease it now. Another reason not to go back, Lauren in a constant state of worry. "Look Theo, I'm just going to give you this in the simplest of terms because I have a massive headache and we need to get a move on."
"Alright."
"Those things, we don't know what they are. One of the main reasons we're going back is so Lauren can figure that out, because apparently Dyson doesn't know any other brilliant doctors."
"And you do?" Her eyebrow raises again. "Thin ice my love, thin ice."
"I was making a point." Gentle smile weak as I nudge her foot underneath the table. "We aren't exactly freaking out because this isn't even the weirdest thing we've seen. Or faced. Things that go boom in the night are more or less real. Pretty much every monster or fairy tale creature you've heard of are real, in some way. Vampires, zombies, witches, people eating plants and a shitload of things that try to take over the world on a regular basis. We're called Fae."
"We're?"
"I'm a succubus and Dyson is a shifter, he turns into a dog."
"A wolf."
"You're right, sorry. Dogs are loyal."
"And you're a-?" He trails off, looking at Lauren.
"I'm human."
"I don't know much about succubuses but aren't they supposed to eat humans, not date them?"
"It's succubi, you owe the jar a dollar." Lauren says softly, sipping her water.
"It's a long story. And look, I get you have a whole lot of questions, I did too when I found out. This is a lot to take, but if we're to believe Dyson and well, the apparent evidence of our buddies in your truck, we don't have a lot of time."
"To what?"
"To stop this. There's answers to your questions, but we can't give them to you right now. And honestly, I can't promise you'll get them anytime soon. But you told me you want to help people, really help them, then we're who you want to be with."
"This is ridiculous."
"Dyson." Lauren snaps in the calm way she does, before turning toward Theo, hand on his forearm. "This is dangerous and we can't promise you'll be safe, but I swear to you, we're the good guys. Dysfunctional albeit, but good."
"Hey, you had me at helping people." He flashes her an uneasy smile, before returning his glare at Dyson. "Besides, I'm having fun pissin' off Mr. Metro."
"And then there were three." Lauren shakes her head, taking another drink of water before standing up. "We need to get moving, we're already behind schedule."
"Yes ma'am." Smiling, I give a lazy salute as I slide from the booth. "Have I ever said how sexy you are when being bossy?"
"You can flirt all you'd like Bo, you're still on very thin ice."
"I live on thin ice." Arm wrapping around her waist as we head for the exit. Naturally she leans into my embrace, but she's careful as if I'd break if she put any more weight.
"I almost forgot."
"Forgot what?"
"How natural you were at this."
"At holding you?"
"No, at being a leader."
"Um, was I having a different conversation than you?" I laugh, pulling the door open for her. "I was short and rude and honestly trying to get him to call us crazy."
"No you weren't."
"Yes I was."
"Bo, whether pure or naïve intentions, the one thing that could make Theo overlook everything being dropped on him is the promise of helping people. If you really didn't want to include him, you wouldn't have played that card."
"Maybe I do like the idea of having a two to one advantage in protecting you."
"Dyson won't-."
"Lauren," Free arm wrapping around her stomach, pulling her to a stop with me. "I get it. You are this amazing woman with an amazing heart, it's just two of the quadrillion reasons I am in love with you. But even if you put aside my worry, my ego, my feelings and my pride there is one thing that remains."
"And what is that?"
"It is my duty to protect you."
"Duty, hm?" She leans into me slightly, trying to hide her smile.
"Yes duty and I don't care what I have to do, I will protect you. Even if you plan to fight me the entire time."
"Pretty strong words from someone who felt the need to blare the radio when the question of marriage was brought up."
"I knew that would come back to bite me." Smirk firmly in place, arms around her waist as I glance back toward the diner. Dyson and Theo exchanging words about, well who knows. "Lauren about-."
"Hey, hey." Smiling, hand coming up to cup my cheek. "I'm only teasing you. Marriage is not even a topic that crosses my mind."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Not even once?"
"Hm, no. I don't think so."
"Seriously?" I find myself dumbfounded as she starts towards the truck. "Lauren, seriously?" She shakes her head, but doesn't glance back. "Like, never?" This time it's a shrug of her shoulders.
She can't possibly be serious, right? She's only teasing. Eyes narrow as she pulls open the door, smirking at me like the Cheshire cat. Yeah, she's teasing. There's no way she hasn't ever thought about it. I mean, I've thought about it pretty much ever since we met. Sure at first it was in the way you think about crushes, though to be fair she was always more than just a crush. There were also those self-defecation type of thoughts about how it would never work. Then times changed and while it wasn't every day, it was always lingering in the back of mind through everything. And then we started a new life, a free and normal life, every day it's snuck further and further to the forefront of my mind. It's impossible she hasn't at least once.
My hand rests on the frame of the door holding it open, the other on the back window. Body leaning lightly against hers, keeping her from getting in. I hear the bickering pair wandering up behind me, but all that matters is her eyes. Leaning in, smirking lips ghosting over hers. Head tilting back slightly as she leans in.
"Yeah, you thought about it." Giggle silenced as she closes the distance, biting my lip as she pulls back.
"Maybe."
"Say it."
"Nope."
"Say it."
"Nope."
"Lauren," Hands dropping to her sides, tickling her for just a moment. "Say it."
"Maybe is as good as you'll get."
"Why?"
"Because the day I say yes I want to marry you," She whispers. "It won't be in some parking lot as a joke. It won't be in a playful banter. It won't be able to be brushed off as just something I thought about once or twice."
"What will it be then?"
"Who knows, that's the beauty of it." Leaning back in, she brushes her lips against mine, hand gently on my stomach as she stops just short of getting into the backseat. "But I do know on that day, I will look into your beautiful eyes and tell you that I love you and every single thing that had led us to this moment, good and bad, has all been worth it."
"Suddenly wishing I had a ring on me."
"Told you succubus, no parking lots." She laughs, sliding into the backseat.
Who would have known that perfection was a five-six, brilliant doctor?
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Outside the Dal—1:52 a.m.
.
"Home sweet home." I mumble, leaning against the truck staring at the door.
So many memories I have of this place. The bad ones washing over me like a tsunami while the good ones trickle in like a stream. Either I never realized how awful my life was here or Lauren was right, your mood heavily impacts how you perceive things.
"They got the last one into the storage room."
"Good."
"Dyson said he's got my old med bag around here somewhere. It should get me started at least in the morning. We can hunt down anything else I'll need after the preliminary inspection."
"Sweet of him to keep it."
"You know what you need?" She asks with this gentle smile, coming to lean beside me.
"A time machine?"
"No, a good night's rest."
"Now that we're back I doubt I'll sleep at all."
"You have to, doctor's orders."
"Why can't my doctor ever order a nice long vacation some place where Fae don't exist?"
"Because your doctor is a doctor and not a made of magic."
"Ah! There we go, that explains it." We share a laugh, her arm draping over my shoulders. My hand coming to rest on her stomach, gently rubbing as my head leans against hers. "How cool would it be if you were made of magic?"
"Well I sort of was once," She laughs softly. "I was a conduit if you remember."
"Oh I do, curtesy of my father, also known as Jack-Hole."
"He has many names."
"Almost as many as you." This time it's me who laughs, arms wrapping around her waist, keeping her close. "I've never met your brother."
"I—am aware."
"Or your parents."
"Bo, we've come back to save the day, not die."
"Um, thanks for the clarification?"
"You're making it seem like this is the end, this is just another new beginning."
"I'm tired of new beginnings."
"Yes, well, I'm tired of my champion being whiney. We all have our crosses to bare."
"I am so not whiney."
"Whatever you say Miss. Whiney-whinerson." She laughs, hand taking mine as she leads us toward the Dal. "I promise to protect you from all of the dust bunnies."
"Dust bunnies?" Chuckle dying as I see what she means, the place looks like it hasn't been touched in months. "So not only do you betray me but you let my grandfather's legacy turn into-."
"Enough Bo!"
"Watch your volume there pretty boy."
"Enough, from all three of you." Lauren snaps, maybe the most surprising thing of the night. "I am tired. I am tired, I am dirty and I am most of all annoyed. All day, nothing but this bickering despite my best efforts. And now, Theo. I love you all, some more than others," She does her shy laugh, the one where it's supposed to say she's kidding but not really. "But you're all giving me a headache. I've tried every approach to the two of you, to the three of you except for one."
"Babe-."
"Nope." She shakes her head. "You had your chance. Theo, there should still be a twenty-four hours Walmart not far from here. Go and get as many sleeping bags and pillows as you can. Dyson, I'm pretty sure Wing-Yi's is still twenty-four hours as well, you can walk there and get us something to eat. I'm craving Chinese and I'm not pleased about it. And babe, please behave."
"Well, that's a new side." Theo whispers as he passes me, uneasy smirk on his face.
"Did you want to give me a list too or just-I'll just wing it."
"Been a while since you raised your voice." Arms folding over my chest, door closing behind the pair.
"Yes well seems to be the only way to get your attention."
"On a scale of one to ten how mad are you?"
"I'm not mad, I'm frustrated."
"If I was healed properly?"
"Then yes, I would be mad."
"Ah, so I'm thinking I should never be healed properly then. A get out of jail free card."
"I had to fall in love with the most stubborn woman." She chuckles through a smile, taking a seat on a stool.
"Don't forget charming."
"And charming."
"And amazing in bed."
"And amazing in bed, yes."
"And super romantic."
"Bo, don't push it."
"So," Leaning against the bar, eyes running over the dusty bottles, an image of Trick playing through my mind. I can't count the number of times I saw him just wiping the counters down. No matter how busy it got, it was always pristine. "What's the extra sleeping bags and pillows for?"
"Something tells me we aren't going to be the only ones."
"We could have gone to another hotel. Some place clean and with a bed."
"Here is safe."
"I thought you weren't worried."
"I'm not." She rests her hand on my forearm, flashing me the sweetest of smiles. "But I'm careful. While it may be your duty to protect me Bo, it's mine to protect you."
"You are amazing." Returning her smile, eyes drifting back to the bottles. An image of Kenz and Hale downing some bottle of Trick's favorite selection. "I don't think they're coming babe."
"I think you'd be surprised."
"Why are you so sure?"
"Because, I know our leader." Laughing, she leans against my shoulder. "Quite well actually."
"Better than anyone else ever has."
"Or ever will."
"Or ever will." I wish I could have faith as she does.
There's just something about being here or even the idea that makes me a different person. I feel different. About everything really, except for her. No, if there is one plus from this horrible little trip down memory lane, it's that I love her even more. Who would have thought that was even possible?
.
12:24 p.m.
.
"Little early there to be drinking babe." My eyes shifting from the neat pile of sleeping bags I'm making to her as she carefully looks through the bottles.
"I'm looking for something."
"Which would be?"
"The purest of vodka."
"I repeat, it's a little early to be drinking."
"It's never too early to have a drink! Have I taught you nothing?" Evony's voice carries, smirk tugging at my lips. "Well, either I'm early or this team isn't what it used to be."
"Evony?" I can't help chuckling, walking up halfway to meet her. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I'm answering the bat signal." She drops her two bags, hands going to her hips as she looks around disapprovingly. "Didn't the lovely doctor tell you?" My eyes shift to Lauren who just shrugs with a smirk, going back to studying to bottle in her hand. "Shit's really gone downhill around here. Would it have killed you to clean up a bit?"
"Same old Evony."
"What were you expecting?"
"You know," I laugh, pulling her into a semi-awkward hug. "It's good to see you. Surprisingly."
"Yes, yes." She hugs me genuinely for a moment, before stepping back. "Enough of this touchy feely, give me a drink Lauren, I'm parched."
Same old Evony.
.
2:16 p.m.
.
"Are we really all sleeping here, because I have standards." Evony continues to complain, drink in one hand and sleeping bag in the other.
"Lauren believes it's the safest option at the moment."
"Some things don't change."
"Meaning?"
"Lauren still wears the pants."
"And suddenly, wishing you didn't come." Shaking my head, looking down at my feet on the chair.
"Without me you'd be lost."
"Without you I wouldn't have a migraine."
"I'm just saying that it wouldn't have killed you to at least spring for a blowup mattress." She comes to lean against the table next to me. "Just one would do."
"Let me guess, for you?"
"Well, I wouldn't be opposed to it."
"Alright. I got enough to feed a small army, but my bank account is looking thinner than a sheep after shaving." Theo laughs, stumbling in the door with arms full of grocery bags.
"Tall, mocha and handsome. Just what I ordered."
"Whoa there cougar." Hand on her arm, jumping off of the table. "He's soooo not for you."
"And why would that be?"
"Because you'd eat him for lunch."
"Interesting coming from a succubus with a human lover." She smirks.
"He's a good boy. A good, southern boy."
"I had a redneck phase once," She looks over toward the door, Theo struggling to get in with the next load of bags. "Seems like as good as time as any to have another."
"You had a redneck phase?"
"Dark Belch." Lauren says, walking out of the office, pulling her gloves off.
"We'll always have Dark Belch, won't we Doc." Evony winks at Lauren, before walking up to Theo. "Here let me help you with that." What the hell is Dark Belch?
"She is gonna eat him alive."
"Yes, but it will be a fun ride." Lauren laughs, kissing my cheek as she comes up beside me.
"I'm choosing to forget the fact that there is firsthand knowledge of that."
"You're so adorable when jealous." Leaning in, lips gently pressed against my neck. "Even when there's no need." An equally gentle bite as she pulls back.
"How goes it in the no visit zone?" A roll of my eyes playfully, trying not to smile at her.
"We're going to need a mop."
"A mop?"
"I made a bit of a mess."
"A bit?" My eyebrow rising, slightly worried now. "A bit like an actual bit or a bit like we should just tape off that room and forget it exists?"
"Somewhere in between."
"I see."
"Don't judge me, he sort of liquefied on me. Nothing I could do."
"I'm sorry, he did what?"
"He technically liquefied. Well, part of him did."
"Part of him?"
"Just some skin and a few organs, nothing too major. But a mop would be beneficial. Maybe some towels and sponges and Fabreze."
"Is that all?"
"Some tarps and some of that tape they use for painting. Some baby powder and balloons, uninflated. Oh and some ice cream, I have the most annoying craving for ice cream."
"Maybe we should have set up shop at the Walmart."
"Make a list, me and Theo will run right out and get it." Evony says, sneaking up on us.
"Look at you all helpful." Smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth.
"Anything for the team."
"My, my looks like we're late for the party Mark." Vex's voice carries as he strolls in. "How rude of you to start without us."
"The hosts don't wait on the servers Vex. Have you been slumming it so long that you've forgotten?"
"Evony, lambchop, you don't look like you've aged a day." The pair the first to hug. "More like a few thousand days, but who's counting."
"Still as vile as ever."
"He was well behaved the whole ride here, I promise." Mark's heavy smile mirrors mine as he comes to give me and then Lauren a hug.
"That was then love, this is now." Vex gives Lauren a genuine hug, quite the oddest pair of friends. And then me, slightly less genuine. "Seems the Avengers are still missing a few."
"Yeah, I think we're about all we can expect." I sigh, equally as disappointed as I am happy at the idea of Kenzi and Dagny staying away.
"And my father?"
"He'll be back soon." Lauren says gently.
As if there wasn't enough awkwardness already.
.
3:59 p.m.
.
"So, am I too early to be fashionably late or too late to be on time?"
"I'll be damned, Ashley Vazquez." Dyson growls his laugh, standing up from the table, tossing his cards down.
"Dyson Thornwood." Dropping her duffle bag she wraps her arms around his shoulders as he picks her up in a hug. "Good to see you." Laughing her words into his shoulder before he puts her down. The second her feet touch the floor, her balled up fist connecting with his jaw hard enough to send him stumbling. "That's for not protecting my sister."
"Wait, what?" Tilting my head back up, laying my own cards on the table.
"Oh, he didn't tell you? Surprise, surprise Dyson didn't fill the group in on something."
"You said things didn't work out with Kendra." I stand, Lauren's hand on my wrist. "What happened?"
"My sister took a trip to zombieland."
"They're not zombies." Lauren sighs.
"I did-."
"What you could? Yeah, we hear that a lot from you Dyson." She snorts. "It doesn't even matter. I'm not here for you anyway."
"I heard you were freelancing." Vex leans back in his chair, peaking at Mark's hand. "Dark Elder freelancing."
"I was, believe me after what the fuck up your father-in-law here caused, I was done with the missions of goodwill."
"Then why are you here?" I ask, glancing down at Lauren.
"Because for me, this is a mission of revenge."
"We already have enough loyalty issues here Ash, I can't say jump on board knowing your head isn't in the game."
"Bo, please. You got three humans, a neutered mesmer, and two shifters. One of which hasn't seen much combat. You need all the help you can get. Beside, this is for my sister and as long as you're leading the charge against the fucker responsible for this, you won't find a more loyal soldier."
"And this thing between you and Dyson?"
"Oh, we'll settle up once this is done. Best believe that." Her eyes shift back to Dyson who avoids our stare.
"I fold." Evony says after a solid minute of tension filled silence, tossing her cards on the table. "What? We're not playing anymore?"
.
5:17 p.m.
.
"Where are you sleeping?" Evony asks, standing in the corner with her arms folded. "I think I would feel safer sleeping next to you." She looks up at Theo who leans against the wall, watching her with a smirk.
"Well see I was raised to be a gentleman and if a lady says she feels she needs protecting, then it's only right to offer her my services."
"A gentleman and sweet, my horoscope said I was in for a good day but this is quite the surprise." THIS IS SO DISTURBING! PLEASE STOP! "You know, this might be a crazy idea but what if we open your bag and my bag and lay them on top of one another. For more cushion of course."
"You have got to be kidding me." I snort, looking beside myself at Ash who is double fisting whatever beer she scrounged up. "This is worse than Lauren in there liquefying zombies." I glance behind myself, office door still closed. "I mean infected."
"I think the security here is lacking." Dagny's voice pulls my attention.
"My God." Whisper escaping as I stand. My baby sister is all grown up now. She's not even a teen anymore, the way I last remember her. No, she's a woman now. A spitting image of her mother, though she's kept her baby face. "What are you doing here?" I pull her into a hug, or maybe it's her who pulls me into one.
"I heard my big sister was in trouble."
"You shouldn't have come."
"It was time to come home." She pulls back, her mother's smile on her face. "I've missed you."
"I've missed you too." Smile wavering as my eyes shift past her to the young girl standing quietly behind Dagny. She looks a little younger and very gentle. Sort of the way Lauren struck me the first time I met her. "Who is this?"
"Oh," She sort of laughs, taking a step back. "This is Ayesha and she's my fiancé."
"How long was I in there?" Lauren's uneasy laugh pulls our attention to the office door.
"I know, I should have wrote you two. All of you, let you know, but we just, things have been-."
"They know." Kenzi's voice is the next to pull our attention. She stands by the door with the faintest of smiles. The look on her face saying it all. She isn't here for me or for us, she's here because of Dagny.
"Looks like everyone's come home." Vex's words carries a weight that I doubt he even realizes.
"I don't know about you, but tomorrow we run toward hell so tonight, how about we celebrate being back?" Mark claps his hands, walking behind the bar.
I guess there is no turning back now.
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8:23 p.m.
.
"Are you going to sit over here all night?" Vex's voice a mere whisper to a mind far away from here. The feel of his chest on my back just as distant as he leans over me grabbing a bottle.
My fingertips circling the rim of my glass, warming tequila further abandoned. Eyes glued to Lauren as if I'm enthralled, maybe I am. She's laughing louder than she normally does in public. She's drank far more than she routinely does. Or maybe she just drank faster than she realized. Her smile's so wide you'd think it might be fake, if you didn't know her. She leans into Dyson as he does his best imitation of dancing. Mark leans on the pool table watching in amusement. Vex walking back into the picture, as carefree as Lauren. Though that doesn't necessarily mean he's drunk.
I look over to the corner, Kenz siting there with Dagny, Ayesha and Ash playing cards of some sort. It all feels so surreal. We rushed to get back and now here we are huddled in the Dal drinking like it's just another night. We ignore the pile of pillows and sleeping bags as if we won't all be sleeping together on the floor tonight. We ignore the dusty parts of the bar as if this place hasn't been left attended to for God knows how long. We ignore the anger and unresolved feelings from one another as we drink and keep occupied. Laughter replaces yelling. Dancing replaces fighting.
It's amazing what we can ignore if we try hard enough.
"You okay over here?" Mark's words just as distant as his boyfriend's were. He leans in front of me, grabbing two bottles in each hand. He says something else, but he's out of my line of sight now and I don't quite care to hear.
She's trying to shoot pool now, emphasis on the trying part. The eight ball flying off of the table earning laughs loud enough from the four that the others take momentary notice. She's laughing without a care, pointing at Vex as he points to himself. If I had to guess she's trying to blame him for it. Smile pulling at my lips.
I should be over there with them. I was for a while. But then somewhere in between refilling my drink and her laugh catching my attention my mind wandered off. Part of me could have been jealous that the boys were enough to keep her attention. Part of me could be hurt that she hadn't seemed to notice I wasn't there anymore. Problem with being a succubus, problem with being me, sensitive ego and a predisposition towards jealousy. But even in her careless fun and what I can only assume is drunken state, she looks over to me every few minutes.
It's another beer down for Mark, so maybe ten minutes before it's her who sways over to me. There's something about when she relaxes that causes her hips to sway, its rare, but it happens. Smile returning to my lips as she comes to lean against the bar, looking me over.
"Why exactly are you being a party-pooper?" Inviting lips fixed in the cutest pout.
"I'm not."
"Oh," She gives me that pretending to think look. "But you are. Just because you're the sexiest one here babe doesn't mean you can be."
"I wasn't aware the two were mutually exclusive."
"Mm, I love when you use big words." Smile swallowing her face, her hand coming to rest on my shoulder earning a laugh. "Though I don't think you used that right. Or maybe it's me who doesn't know. Oh God, I think I might be a little drunk."
"A little?" I can't help laughing, she looks so serious as she says it. "I think 'little' is in the rearview mirror."
"Oh well." Free hand pulling the drink from my hand.
"How much have you had?"
"Not much, two or three glasses of wine. Honestly I shouldn't be so loopy, but-." She shrugs, cutting herself off. "When in Rome."
"Rome looks a lot different than I would have pictured."
"We should go when all is said and done."
"Yeah?"
"We can go and take walks and eat rich food."
"If only you suggested this like four days ago, we could have been gone already."
"What did I tell you about being whiney?" She laughs.
"You know, I really don't want to be a party-pooper, but I'd really love to spend some time with you."
"I'm right here."
"Alone."
"Ah. I see." Smirk tugging at her lips. "I may be insatiably curious, but you my lovely succubus are insatiable period."
"Are you complaining?"
"Far be it for this doctor to not-." She cuts herself off, hands moving into my hair as she steals a short, but albeit passionate kiss.
"To not what?" Question whispered against her lips, eyes opening just enough to meet hers.
"To not what, what?"
"You said far be it for this doctor to not, and then you stopped."
"Oh, I have no clue. I'm a little drunk babe. Just roll with it."
"Roll with it?"
"Mm-hm." She nods, keeping her arms around my neck as I stand. "That is our new motto or it should be."
"Roll with it?"
"Yep, we roll with it."
"I'm going to have to cut you off for the rest of tonight."
"Oh! You know what we should do? We should take a little walk. Get some fresh air."
"Um, I'm going to have to say no to that."
"Oh come on Bo, it's a nice night. It would be romantic."
"Do you remember the last walk we took a walk around here?"
"I do, it was romantic."
"Mm-hm, it was. And then splat, Lauren Lewis pancake."
"Ooh, we should so trademark that. TM."
"You know what?"
"What?"
"Come on Doctor Lewis." Smile on my lips, playfully biting her neck before guiding her around in my embrace. Like she said, when in Rome.
"Sorry boys, I'm taking the belle of the Dal for a walk." I wave at them with my left hand, right still on her stomach as she leans back against me with every step.
"This doctor is making a private call!"
"Oh God." Unable to keep from laughing, the three of them whistling. So mature. It's a scary thought when my maturity outweighs both Lauren and Dyson's combined. I stay close enough that I can grab her if she starts to stumble, but far enough behind that I can just watch her. "I have to say, I think this is the drunkest I've seen you in a very long time."
"And?"
"It's interesting."
"After hours Lauren." She tries to wiggle her eyebrows, but it just doesn't work so it becomes more of a wink.
"She is fun."
"She is, she's your favorite Lauren."
"My favorite Lauren?"
"It's okay, you can admit it Bo. After hours Lauren is fun and sexy and limber. And she wears things like very expensive lingerie that matches. Though to be fair the matching is more to appease my OCD than anything. But, what was the point I was trying to make?"
"I honestly have no idea."
"My point, ah yes! My point is that after hours Lauren is fun."
"I'm not arguing."
"You know, I was so ready to be back and secure and then just seeing everybody." She sighs, steps slowing until she's beside me. "I kept thinking that we would just gel and then it's just not working."
"Well, to be fair we never all got along perfectly."
"No, but we worked well together. Now, everyone is at each other's throat."
"You really just went from happy drunk to depressed drunk in like two seconds." I laugh softly, taking her hand in mine.
"I know. I just, I don't know what I'm feeling right now."
"Welcome to how I feel babe."
"We both can't be emotional."
"Sure we can. It's the together part that matters."
"I feel ridiculous."
"I'm actually relieved."
"Relieved?" She looks at me, eyebrow raised.
"Yes, I've had like ten mini meltdowns in the past twenty-four hours. You've been my rock, as always." Giving her hand a little squeeze, I pull her closer to me. "It's time to let me be yours."
"You know what I find absolutely amazing about you Bo?"
"What's that?"
"That you could be angry or scared. You could be feeling hopeless or dejected. You drop it all for me."
"Anytime you need me Lauren, I'm here."
"I always need you."
"Then I hope you don't get tired of me."
"It would be impossible." Smiling sweetly she nods to take a turn.
"Kenzi doesn't seem to be adjusting well."
"It's only been a few hours Bo, I don't think anyone is truly happy to be back."
"No, but everyone else is kinda acting one way or another. She's just quiet and not Kenz like."
"Tonight is an interesting night, a night where none of us know where we stand. Even if we thought we did coming here. But tomorrow, tomorrow real life starts again. How we handle what's ahead of us is muscle memory."
"And now, you're back to being the rational one in this relationship."
"Well, it is my official role."
"What is my official role?"
"Being super sexy." She smirks, playfully smacking my ass, earning herself a giggle. "Your ass is vibrating."
"It's happy to see you."
"What?" She laughs, pulling my phone from my back pocket.
"Who is it?"
"It is," Using her right hand she flicks the screen, left hand resting on my ass. "Mark, saying that pizza is on its way. Hm, I could go for some pizza."
"Didn't you eat like twenty minutes before we left?"
"Are you implying something Miss. I-Live-On-Thin-Ice?"
"Um, nope." Shaking my head through a laugh. "Not at all."
"Wise answer."
.
10:29 p.m.
.
"Okay, okay." She takes a drink of her third glass of wine, her words slurred just enough to let you know she's been drinking. Her legs folded underneath herself perfectly, yet she shifts again in sleeping bag. "Let's keep this going."
"Let's not." Vex leans against a chair in between Mark's legs.
"The great Vex not in the mood for a little fun?"
"He's right, we're all a little too drunk to be playing games." Mark's quick to chirp in, hand running through Vex's hair earning a deadly glare from his father.
"Ash, come on." Kenz shakes her head, taking a drink and shooting me a 'this isn't going anywhere good' look. The most she's looked at me all night.
"Come on fun-suckers!" She laughs, shifting again. She's drunk. "Truth or Dare and I Have Never is so cliché. Besides, what better way to get to know one another? I mean really know each other. Theo, Ayesha and Dagny have barely said a word since we've gotten here."
"Don't look at me, I'm not in this." Lauren sort of mumbles from behind the rim of her wine glass she's been babysitting for the better part of an hour. Her hand idly running up and down my thigh. To be fair, our little antagonist of the moment was right. The three of them have been painfully quiet. But then again, this might not have been the best way to get them talking either.
"Ayesha? Come on, I need some votes here."
"Yes," She nearly whispers, nodding. "Yes sure. What's the worst that could happen?" She looks at her apparent fiancé, Dagny just smirking back at her. Poor girl is so worried about making a good first impression.
"Looks like the yeys have it." She takes a gulp. "Okay, I got a good one. It's simple, but good. What is love to you?"
"Consuming." Dyson nods, glancing at me. Lovely, this is already off to a great start. Mr. Drunk is going to make this personal.
"Kinky." Vex laughs.
"Salvation." Lauren smiles sweetly at me, squeezing my knee. She leans further up against the wall, feet underneath her bag.
Love, it's definitely a funny thing.
How do you measure it? How do you describe it? How do you judge it for that matter? You can't. Show me love and then show me someone truly fit to judge it. If I had to use one word to describe love, it would be evolving. Definitely evolving. I can't count the number of times my idea of love has changed since I was sixteen. I can't count the number of times when I had to learn the difference between loving someone and being in love. Between friendship and partnership. I can't count the times in which I've had my heart broken, no that's a lie. It was three times, well, two if we want to be fully technical, though the pain for the third time counts in 'Bo's Book of Painful Evolution'. Coincidently all by the same woman too. Each time I thought it was over. I thought the love was dead and buried. But it never was. Each and every time it just evolved into something, different. And while I can't exactly say I'm happy about those soul crushing experiences, I can say I'm glad for the experience.
I've been in love with this woman since the first moment I laid eyes on her, but there was something immature about it at first. And when I found out our first time wasn't exactly purely natural, it broke my heart, but the love that replaced it was something much different. It became more mature, but it was selfish. Selfish from her part, from my part, from both of us. And when she broke my heart then, I thought for sure I would die. But as fate would have it, I just fell more in love with her. And that love was as mature as I thought it could be. Pure and consuming to borrow Dyson's word. But then she broke my heart for the final time. I swore I'd never forgive her for that. I swore I'd never go back. But then, there on the hood of my car she's offering me a future and something told me that this was finally the time. This was the time for us.
As it turns out, I was right.
Smile on my lips, taking a drink myself. Half listening to the group give their answers. Words like amazing, completing, and hope given. Not a bad selection, love is all of those. But the way they're tossed out so casually tells me they're more like googled synonyms than anything. Evony, the odd woman out answers far too quickly and casually. She hasn't been in love before, at least not really. And the uncertainty in Mark's voice only furthers Lauren's theory that him and Vex are in a bad spot.
"Bo?"
"Yes babe," Lauren leans toward me, against my shoulder, eyes narrow with the biggest smirk. "What is love to you?"
"Well to me love is the brilliant and gorgeous Doctor Lauren Lewis."
"Perfect answer." Laughing, she leans forward stealing a quick kiss. "You get all the girlfriend points you want."
"No, no. Everyone else answered, come on."
"You're pretty bossy when you're drunk, it's not so attractive." I glare at Ash, realizing Lauren's actually glaring at me. I guess I should have used another word other than attractive. Ooops. "Love to me is, evolving."
"I'm partial to your first answer babe."
"I wonder why," Laugh quickly hushed finding Ash's unamused stare fixed on me. "Since I'm last, my turn. Um, oddest place you've ever had sex."
My own laugh drowned out by the groups', mostly. I didn't want to play this game. I didn't want to play any game honestly. I wanted pizza and snuggles with Lauren before passing out to ready for whatever hell awaits us tomorrow. Not this. A group confined with massive amounts of alcohol and unresolved issues is just begging for trouble.
"How about," Dyson trails off, narrow eyes fixed on me. I knew there was a reason he purposely answered last. "Have you ever cheated on a significant other?"
"Ah man." Theo says under his breath, finishing off his beer.
"Or we could take a vote on the biggest asshole in the room." Evony's comment earning a snort from Lauren.
"Wow, that was aggressive." Dyson just stares at her. "It's just a question. I'll admit I have. Bo?"
"Being a succubus has its downfalls."
"So does having a human partner." Dyson shoots back, he's drunk.
"Whoa! Whoa!" Mark laughs awkwardly, waving his hands. "Let's all just relax. Forfeit this question. Go back to another fun one. Weirdest thing you've ever ate?"
"Squirrel." Ash answers with a laugh, earning a 'it isn't that bad' from Theo.
"We're not done with mine. Fair is fair." Dyson snaps.
"Can I rescind my vote to play?" Ayesha softly asks, Dagny comfortingly running her hand over her back.
"Don't worry, it's not your fault some people can't hold their liquor."
"I don't remember you ever having a complaint before."
"Dyson, I've done nothing but defend you so please don't make me look like a fool right now." Lauren says calmly.
"No, no Lauren see everyone thinks I'm an asshole because I'm going after you." He takes another drink of whatever the hell he's been drinking since we returned. "But I'm not. I love you Lauren, my problem was never with you it was with the games Bo played with me. With us."
"Dad, you're drunk. Come on, let's go take a walk." Mark gets up, maneuvering away from Vex.
"Everyone is sitting here all day judging me!" He stands up, stumbling over his own feet. "I am not the only one to have made a mistake!"
"Take this." Lauren's voice pulls my attention, handing her drink to Evony who's beside her.
"I did what I thought was right!"
"You need to calm down." I stand up now. It probably wasn't the best move to defuse the situation, but I can't have Lauren standing. She's got that 'I need to do something' face on. "Look, our issues are our issues, but right now you're really drunk."
"I-." He looks around and I can see it dawning on him. I can see him coming to grips with the fact that he's lost control. That guilt creeping his features. Unfortunately I'm quite familiar with this look from him.
"Dude, just go take a walk." Ash waves towards the door, looking back down at her drink.
"If it's any consolation," Vex looks from Dyson as he heads for the door to me. "I wouldn't have let him near Lauren. I may be a one man, man now but I'm still a mesmer."
My lips part to say something I forget as Lauren brushes past me, the only thing she says is 'excuse me' as she steps over Ayesha, Kenz, and Dagny. Without a second thought she's in the office, door shut behind her. First instinct is rush after her. Second instinct is to go punch Dyson. Third and most logical instinct is to sit back down and give her a few minutes.
Option three it is.
"Great game there Ashely." Evony glares through a forced smirk, finishing off Lauren's wine. "Maybe next time we can share the worst moments in our lives."
"How was I supposed to know he'd flip out?"
"I don't know what we're supposed to be facing other than zombies that aren't zombies, but is he gonna be able to fall in line?"
"Dyson doesn't fall in line so much as run alongside Bo hoping to get noticed." Evony laughs, leaning into Theo.
"Dyson is our friend too." Kenz speaks for the second time in hours. "Just something to remember."
"He's not mine." Theo snaps.
"And who are you again?" Kenz snaps right back.
"Enough." I stand right back up. "Just enough. Whatever these things are aren't gonna need to kill us at this rate, we'll do it ourselves. Mark, please go get your father and bring him back in, he needs to sleep this off. Theo and Kenz, no mingling please. Ayesha, I promise you we're not all insane."
Sighing, I step over the minefield of legs and pillows. Hand raising to knock, but instead I just slip inside. Eyes widening as I find myself standing in what looks like Lauren's version of Dexter's kill room. Clear painting tarps tapped up everywhere with that blue painter's tape she asked for. A of course neat pile of cleaning supplies. Lauren leaning against the desk that she has set up as an examination table.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes," She nods. "I was fine Bo, he's drunk. Everyone is drunk. I'm not mad."
"Could have fooled me."
"I just couldn't stand everyone staring at me, rushing to my defense like I'm some victim. Just another reminded that most of the tension between everyone is about me."
"No, no. It's about what happened."
"Vex nearly killed Dyson the last time they saw each other, because of me. And the second Dyson raised his voice he was jumping to my defense."
"He's your friend." I shrug, arms folding over my chest. "Besides, who likes their father-in-law?"
"I thought I moved past it." She whispers, shaking her head almost in disappointment as she looks down at her legs. "I survived knowing he was in town. I survived seeing him. I survived talking to him and the car ride and the night. I survived it all. But everyone looking between us, like they have to pick sides again. Looking at me like I'm made of glass, it put me right back in that place."
"I know." Nodding, sighing heavily as I come to lean next to her. "I keep seeing him standing over you. I keep seeing it and feeling that fear. The only way I know how to deal with it is anger now." Eyes running over the side of her face, trying to gauge exactly what place she's in. Anger? Hurt? Fear? Something else? "Do you remember that?"
"No, I remember sitting in the hospital with everyone walking in and out giving me that look that says I'm helpless. Which really means I'm worthless."
"You know that isn't true."
"Logically, yes Bo. I do know that isn't true. But I can't help how I felt then or now."
"Do you want to leave?"
"No."
"Do you want to find somewhere else to sleep?"
"No."
"Do you want me to make Dyson find somewhere else to sleep?"
"No."
"Do you want me to leave you alone?"
"No."
"Then what do you want babe?" Soft smile on my lips, tilting my head to face her. "Just tell me and I will do everything in my power to make it happen."
"You want to know what I really want?"
"Of course."
"Dyson told me what the plan is for tomorrow, before he was drunk of course. What he was running around doing today."
"Which was?"
"He was arranging meetings with the remaining leadership, you're supposed to see them, get help to deal with this…..epidemic."
"Glad to know I didn't have a say in this."
"Most of them hate you."
"Great peptalk babe."
"They need to see you are every bit as much in control as you were four years ago. They need to see you're strong and unafraid."
"What exactly are you getting at Lauren?" uneasy feeling creeping up on me.
"I need you to feed Bo, I need you to heal completely. Or as near as possible."
"I'm fine Lauren."
"No, you're not. I see it in the way you move. In how you walk. I can still see the bruises on you. I can see it in everything you do. I don't want you to go tomorrow, but logically I know that what we need to achieve is greater than my worry. You need to go in there with your head high, no weakness shown and God forbid, be ready for a fight."
"Do you have someone in mind or shall I just go pick someone?" I scoff, standing as I ignore the pain of her words. Honestly I'm not even sure why I'm so hurt.
"I do," I turn to look at her, eyes meeting mine. "Me."
"W-what?"
"I don't want you feeding off of anyone else, not unless it's an emergency. Your compulsion isn't working right now and the amount you would need to take from one person to the next not to get caught, Bo we'd have to travel twenty different places, get twenty different people. It's not worth it."
"No, risking your life so I can appease some people I could give a shit about tomorrow is what isn't worth it."
"Do you really think I'm telling you this, asking you this for them?"
"That's what it sounds like."
"Then you aren't listen." She reaches out, taking my hands in her own as she pulls me two steps closer to her.
"Lauren, no. I won't risk your life like this. I would rather have to take a sliver from a million people in a million different places than ever risk your life."
"I know I am not helpless and I am not weak. I know that I am doing everything I can to help you. Figuring this out. Fighting if I have to. But there's one more thing I can do, and that's make sure you're strong enough to come home to me."
"Home?" Weak smile on my lips, tilting my head down so I'm looking at her lap rather than her eyes. "Interesting choice considering we're technically homeless at the moment."
"My home, is wherever you are." Her left hand cupping my cheek, bringing my face up. "I am yours and you are mine Bo. We don't need a house or an apartment or even a city. All we need is each other. Unless I'm the only one who feels that way?"
"You know you're not."
"Then let me take care of you." She leans in, forehead resting against mine.
"I don't trust myself."
"You don't need to trust yourself, trust me."
"That simple?"
"That simple Bo."
I was so wrapped up in her tonight I don't think I could breathe if my eyes left her. But now, I'm terrified to look at her. For years after her injections I've passed her just a little chi. Her brilliant concoction to slow down her aging. But I haven't fed off of her since her stint as a conduit. Now though, she's human. She's human and fragile and just one slip of concentration, that would all it would take to kill her. One second and I'm no better than Dyson. One second and I could lose everything.
Her hands on my face, legs wrapping around my waist as she slips further up onto the desk. Soft lips aimlessly move over my cheek, my jawline and them my lips. Tongue teasing my lips, begging for entrance. A gentle kiss followed by another, still waiting for permission. Hands moving up into my hair.
"This is us. This is you and me. This isn't succubus and human. This isn't healer and protector. This is Lauren Lewis and Bo Dennis. This is you and me."
"I would die before I hurt you."
"And that's why I know you won't."
Soft kiss followed by soft kiss. Lips parting a little more each time. Body leaning against hers, a wave of desire spreading through me. Every passing second causing me to forget a little more about the group of people waiting for us just outside that door. Each passing second causing me to forget a little more about how I'm a succubus and she's a human. Slowly every touch lures me into the sweet illusion of her promise. She's just Lauren and I'm just Bo. Everything else is just background noise and technicalities that have no place here now.
Hands falling to my sides, nails scraping against my skin as she grabs fistfuls of my shirt. Legs tightening around my hips refusing to let me go. Greedy lips kissing every inch of skin of mine they could find, pulling me further from my protest. The softest of moans escaping her followed by an escaping groan of pain as she pulls my shirt off. Eyes opening to find her looking down over my body. Her fingertips gently brushing over the slightly faded bruise covering my ribs.
Her eyes move back up and my own can't help but to follow hers, coming to meet as they always do. This gentle smile on her lips with the faintest glisten in her eyes. It breaks my heart in the same moment it saves it.
"What are you doing?" A whisper all I can manage.
"I don't know yet," Eyes searching mine, keeping them captive as her head tilts forward. "Just let me." Lips brushing against mine once more and I'm at her mercy.
She pulls off her own shirt before her hands move back into my hair. What fight I have left slipping away as my own hands rest on her sides. The feel of her skin on mine effortlessly earning a smile. I tell myself I'm going to push her away and put an end to this madness, but I hold her to me as if her life depended on it.
"I don't want to hurt you." Whisper lost against her skin, lips trailing up her shoulder. Playfully nipping at the strap of her bra.
Her hands leave me and had she not been moving further up the desk pulling me with her, I would have protested. In one skillful maneuver we somehow end up on the desk. Her legs wrapping right back around my waist, hands running gently over the bruises on my back. Pulling away, just enough to look down into her eyes.
"I trust you."
"I feel like we've had this conversation before."
"Have we?" She smiles sweetly. "How did that conversation end for us?"
"Pretty amazingly."
"Well then," Turning her head she kisses up my arm earning the softest of giggles. Leaning down, following her lead as my lips claim her collarbone. "Just you and me Bo." She whispers into my shoulder, softly biting and it is in the moment, I have no argument.
Tilting my head back once more, gaze meeting hers. I search for something, for anything. But in this moment there is nothing. This isn't about tomorrow or the day after. This isn't about our dysfunctional family beyond this room or even the world outside of the Dal. This isn't about a succubus and her human lover. This is about her and me.
"Just you and me." Smile pulling at my lips as I say her words. I may not trust myself enough, but I trust her. I trust us. Eyes drifting shut as my lips find hers. "Just you and me." Whisper to myself lost on her lips.
Gentle and hesitant grows too sweet and passionate. Her hands resting on my shoulder blades keeping me from moving, but there's nowhere else in the world I would ever want to be than right here with her. Lost in her. Giving into her, not desire or need, but her, I feel an all too familiar feeling become unfamiliar. Hands gripping the ledge of the desk keeping me balanced. Keeping me aware there's still something tangible, because in this moment every ounce of me is floating away.
Lauren's words 'I trust you' a distant echoing whisper in the back of my mind. Eyes fluttering open as I go to pull back. Fear ripping me apart. But then it's gone. Lauren's grip on my shoulders just as strong as her legs around my waist. Her eyes opening to meet mine, this sweet and lustful smile on her lips.
"What's wrong?" A breathless whisper, her smile faltering.
"A-are you—you're okay."
"Ye-yes." She nods, eyes running over my face. Concern slipping into her features. "Are you?"
"I'm," Laugh catching in my throat, looking over her face and what I can see of her body that isn't covered with mine. "I'm amazing."
"That I know." Leaning up, lips finding that sweet spot on my neck pulling a moan from me. "But how are you feeling physically?" I feel her lips curve into a smirk.
"Lauren," My voice breaks, and foolishly I can't help the feeling of tears sneaking up on me. Hearing it in my voice, she pulls back so quickly I think she hits her head on the desk, but her concern for me is all that's there written over her face.
"What? What's wrong Bo?"
"N-nothing."
"What?"
"Nothing is wrong." Soft laugh escaping through a smile. "Nothing is wrong."
"O-okay?"
"You're okay." Cutting myself off stealing a short but passionate kiss. "I can do this." Kiss. "We can do this." Kiss. "We're okay."
"Yes." She laughs, hands moving back to my face. Each kiss less passionate than the last, but sweeter none the less. "I told you Bo, you wouldn't hurt me."
"I never imagined that," Shaking my head, smile plastered to my face. "Doesn't even matter." Capturing her lips in another sweet kiss, her giggles mixing with mine. "Babe?"
"Hm?" Her eyebrow raises, but her mind is somewhere very far from here now, hands coming to rest on the small of my back.
"I just realized we're um," Trailing off, eyes glancing down at the desk.
"Oh, yeah don't worry. Whole new tarp."
"Ah okay." Nodding, shifting so my lips could explore below her collarbone. Good enough answer for this succubus.
"Besides, he liquefied way over there."
"Mm," Playfully biting the top of her breast. "Talk dirty to me."
"Oh God." She laughs, heel of her foot tapping my ass. "You're impossible."
"No." Lips on her stomach, tilting my head up just enough to meet her eyes. "I'm yours."
"I won't argue that."
"I'd hope not." Playful bite. "I don't suppose we could just stay in here all night?"
"No, sadly." Her hands finding my face, guiding me back up to her. "But we still have a few minutes." Smirk sneaking over her face, biting my lip.
"That's not a lot of time."
"Waste not, want not."
Lips part to say something, but all I can do is smile and shake my head. I know I loved her from the first moment I saw her. I know every time our love has evolved. But looking back, I can't pinpoint the exact moment I fell in love with her. That moment where it knocks you off of your feet and the world stops because all of a sudden you know that your heart, your soul is no longer solely yours. She just always seems to have been that for me. I've always wondered why I couldn't, but now, I think I have my answer.
In this moment of love and passion and desire and lust and trust and hope and faith and belief, there is a pure clarity. The purist clarity I've ever experienced. In this moment I know I can't pinpoint that moment, because I haven't stopped falling in love with her yet.
And God help me, I hope I never do.